Monkeys In Our Backyard

Here are some pictures I took of some wild creatures I saw climbing the tree in our backyard

Teamwork 

These 2 creatures look amazingly similar 

Worship Projection Software for Churches

Whew it's been awhile since I've updated this blog. I guess I've been pretty busy. But here I am again and here's something neat I've discovered.

It's a gem of a software that's great for churches to use for slide projection during worship and even for announcements or preaching. It's called EasiSlides and it's created by Wai Kuen Mo, a brother in Christ who is sharing this program for free. What's amazing is that it has even better features than other programs that cost hundreds of dollars. You even have the option of transposing and displaying chords if you include them with the lyrics. So many features to list, and it's very user friendly, pretty simple to figure out. And if you have a question, Wai Kuen is very good in promptly responding to your emails. Enjoy!

Here is a link to his site: http://www.EasiSlides.com

16 people, 2 vans, a few slaps

Esther's clan arrived from San Francisco at 8:30 this morning in Baltimore-Washington International Airport. We were supposed to leave at 4 in the morning from Virginia Beach to pick them up but we left at 5AM so naturally we were an hour late. From there we continued on to New Jersey. The whole trip with stopovers took 11 1/2 hours. Since I only had an 1 1/2 sleep that night I was really getting tired at the end of the trip. I had Esther slap me a number of times to keep me awake. Everytime she did everyone else in the van volunteered to slap me as well.

Stone Passed

Praise the Lord! Last Thursday morning the stone finally passed. What a relief! And now I feel normal again. I took some pictures of the stone and I was thinking of posting it but I'm not sure if it that was something people would want to see. Maybe I will. I'll think about it.

I Sculpt Kidneys from Stone

Yesterday I attended a leaders retreat sponsored by our church. Everything was great 'cept for one thing. I had another kidney stone episode. While we were doing some group games the pain started to get worse in my lower left backside. And though the pain was dragging me down there were some moments that I couldn't help but laugh still. We were playing a game called "2 Truths & A Lie" where each of us give 3 statements and everyone has to guess which one is the lie. My statements were:
1. I am a kidney stone making factory. I constantly have kidney stones.
2. My birthday & my anniversary fall on the same day.
3. I have an electronic Japanese toilet seat at home.
Anyways the answer was number 2 but what's funny was when later on Janel wanted to pray for me, Ella started asking what for. When Janel told her, she looked shocked and said "Oh, I thought you sculpt kidneys out of stone." Janel & I burst out laughing. Why would someone who can sculpt, sculpt stones into the shape of kidneys?

Well, the pain prevented me from sleeping. I just kept moving around and getting up. But another funny moment was when Joey, sleeping across the room, blurted out, "Now this... is how ... you make a sandwich!" Hmmm, I wonder what he was dreaming about.

I stood up at about 8 this morning cuz I was hungry. Praise God the pain was very much decreased. I was able to start enjoying the fellowship. I took a nap after lunch and by late afternoon the pain was barely noticeable.

Well, after that experience, which would be about the 10th time I've had a stone, me thinks I better drink much, much more water than ever before. In fact, I'm going to have a drink right now.

Google Maps

I discovered Google Maps a few days ago and what a find it is. For anyone who's used web-based maps such as Mapblast, Mapquest, etc. you'll find that Google Maps far surpasses them all. Try zooming in or out and notice the speed. Try dragging the map in any direction and see how fluid the map pans. Click on the satellite view and see a satellite image of your map. And even in this view everything is just as quick and smooth. It can do much more - check out the tour. Hats off to the Google team. Super job!

Click here to go there.

Twin Wedding Video

Praise God, I was able to finish the video in time. I added the pictures that Rae sent and got it to the post office for overnight mailing right before it closed. They should have it in time to show at the reception. I had to work through the night a few times to get it done. Like, yesterday I went to bed at 8 in the morning and I got up 3 hours later to finish it. Well, I'm glad everything is done and I thank Jesus for helping me make it. I really wanted to do this because I promised them before that I would make a wedding video for them when they get married. Because of the surprise double wedding though I just wasn't sure if I could make it in time. But in the end everything turned out okay. If you want to see a small size version of it, click on the photo.




To the twins and their new hubbys, "Congratulations!"

Missing the double wedding

Esther, Kristel & Jarel went to San Diego to attend the twin's double wedding. I'm not able to go because of trying to get something started with my new line of work. I was able to make a wedding video for Bec but not for Rachel since her's was short notice. It didn't feel right not having a video for Rae so I told her I'd try. She just emailed some pictures so hopefully I can make something quick for her and send it. It would be nice but I'm not sure if I can do this in time.

Lola's Little Helper

While in New Jersey, Jarel saw his lola sweep the floor each night. Well, on our last night there, he found the broom and dustpan in the kitchen and went around the house sweeping everwhere just like Lola.

Click on the photo to see more pictures.

New Jersey Visit

Last weekend - Memorial Day weekend - we drove up to New Jersey to visit my parents. The drive was a little over 8 hours. It was great seeing family again, but most of all it was great seeing my dad. This was the main reason for the trip. I wanted to spend more time with him. Something that I regret not having done more of in the past. Now, I just want to hear his stories, his past escapades. I remember past conversations on how he would talk about the war, his family, how he met mom...
But unfortunately these conversations, it seem, won't happen anymore. My dad's memory is failing. I am saddened by the fact that he may not even remember our visit there. But I'm still thankful that he is still around being the wonderful dad that he is and also a wonderful grandfather to my nephews and nieces, and to my son and daughter whenever they could see him.
In another month we'll take another drive up there and get to enjoy his company again. I wish everyone had a father as extraordinary as mine. He's someone who always makes you feel that you're special.
Dad, you'll always be the greatest to me!

My dad, Manolo and our son Jarel Daseph Manolo (swinging).

Kidney Stones & Ducklings

Well, the xrays yesterday showed that I have a stone in my right kidney and the pain in my left is probably from miniscule stones. They were right. I passed 2 stones this afternoon. One was as tiny as a grain of sugar and the other one was like 1/4 smaller. It's hard to believe that something so tiny can cause so much pain. But Praise God, it's finished.

This afternoon while I was trimming the grass I noticed something moving out of the corner of my eye in the backyard. A duck an her 12 ducklings. They were just walking behind our deck. I called Esther out and told her to bring Jarel. I also left to get Kristel from the other house and when we got back they were all asleep in the grass.

Enter Sumo Jarel. Ready for the match.

Sumo Jarel gets into position.

Sumo Jarel is thinking, "Why am I wearing my daddy's neck brace for my outfit?"

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Yesterday, Esther and I went to see the movie. We still had a couple of movie gift certificates that I got as part of a retirement gift. The movie was excellent. Now we both want to see Episode IV to remember how it all began, I mean, continued, or whatever. Right when the movie started and the screen showed, "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...," a viewer who was dressed up in a Darth Vader costume played his breathing sound. That was funny. And it seemed perfect for the movie. I actually thought that it was part of the movie at first.

Prior to the movie they also showed a trailer of "Narnia." We are both looking forward to it.

After that we picked up Jarel and Kristel at Rocky's and went to Chuckee Cheeses for Kristel's reward for the month. She gets to go there or McDonald's Play Place if she gets 25 smileys.

My first blog post

Okay, I'm going to try blogging. Let's see how this works.
Yesterday I woke up with abdominal pain in my left side. Throughout the day the pain would return and I would be doubled over, slumped on the bed or floor. Then in the afternoon Jarel woke up with a fever. Plus he later threw up. That evening Kristel started acting up. It was a really hard day for Esther.